Lead, and hopefully they’ll follow!

When working with some of my consulting clients, one complaint I hear often from employees is the lack of recycling around the workplace. Employees are interested in recycling, yet there aren’t any available recycling bins throughout their offices. It’s 2008 and sustainability should be on every employer’s mind!

For paper waste, make sure the paper recycling bins are clearly labeled throughout the office. Staff members should have paper recycling bins at their desks, as well as printing/copying/faxing areas. Be sure to include recycling availability in common areas as well, like meeting rooms and lunchrooms, where waste is often just tossed into the trash due to lack of proper bins.

But it doesn’t just stop at paper recycling! Cardboard, glass, and plastics can all be recycled at the office. The City of San Diego has creatively created a photo gallery of what can be recycled and what can’t be recycled through your local recycling program. The City of Seattle even offers Recycling Posters that can be printed and distributed throughout your offices!

For more recycling information that’s Seattle-specific, be sure to check out the City’s recycling information pages. Once recycling has been implemented at your workplace, you’ll be amazed at the awesome decrease in the amount of actual trash being carted off to the landfill!

And if you’re really interested in watching your company’s environmental footprint, be sure to look into Food Composting as well, either on-site or through a composting service, such as Rabanco.